November

Parents of children due to start infant or primary school in the next school year have just days left to apply to Derbyshire County Council for a place.

The council wants to make sure any parents of children born between 1 September 2003 and 31 August 2004 who haven’t applied yet do so before the deadline at 3.30pm on Friday 14 December 2007.

Parents can state one, two or three preferences for any Derbyshire primary or infant school, although no child has an automatic right to a place at any particular school.

Even if parents have approached a school to put their child’s name down they still need to fill out an application form.

Parents can get hold of an application pack from primary and infant schools or by ringing Call Derbyshire on 08 456 058 058.

With time running out the quickest way is to apply online. This enables parents to make changes to their application at any point up to the deadline. Anyone who applies online also receives an email to confirm their application has been received.

For parents who do not have access to a computer there is a telephone application facility available through Call Derbyshire on 08 456 058 058. Call handlers will fill in the form on behalf of parents using information given. Parents will be sent a copy of the application to confirm their preferences.

Parents may prefer to complete the paper form included in the application pack which they can return to any Derbyshire infant or primary school.

Councillor Alan Charles, the county council’s cabinet member for schools, said: “The first years of a child’s education are the most important in their development and it is vital that parents apply for a place for their child.

“Parents who fail to reply by the deadline will have their application considered after all other applications and may find the school they want is full.

“We want to avoid this by getting the message out to parents about how important it is to apply now. Family and friends of parents can help them by checking they know the deadline is nearly with us.”

Decision letters will be sent out to parents first class on Friday 28 March 2008.

(Ref: FW.410.07)

People living in Heanor and Somercotes are invited by Derbyshire County Council to discuss what services they want to see in new children centres that are being built.

Two consultation meetings are being held where families living in the area can see the plans for the two centres and talk to representatives from different agencies who will be working there.

Children’s centres are one-stop shops for early education, childcare, family support and health services aimed at families with children under five years old.

The children's centre in Heanor is being built on the Coppice school site and will include childcare, family support, advice, guidance and signposting and health advice and support.

The children's centre in Somercotes is being built at Somercotes Infants school site and will include a range of services to support families and their children, including advice, family support and health advice.

Heanor Children's Centre consultation event is being held on Wednesday 5 December at 2pm until 4pm in the school hall at Coppice Primary school, Roper Avenue, Marlpool, Heanor.

The Somercotes Children's Centre consultation event is being held on Thursday 6 December at Somercotes Infants school, Victoria Street, Somercotes from 2pm until 4pm.

Councillor Bob Janes, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural services, said: “We want parents to tell us what services they need to make the lives of their families better and their ideas of what they think the centre should offer.

“From the feedback we receive we will draw up plans to develop a children’s centre that will best meet the needs of people living in these communities.”

Find out more about chidren's centres.

Work to protect and improve important heathland will be carried out by Derbyshire County Council in a new £21,500 project.

The council received the money from the SITA Trust to improve the biodiversity of three important sites it owns in Ashover, Highoredish and Eddlestow.

Work will also take place to improve the area surrounding The Fabrick, also known as Ashover Rock, which is a landmark on the ridge to the east of Ashover village.

All three sites have been identified as important habitat that is need of protection, restoration and enhancement and are home to a wide range of wildlife including bats, song thrush and reptiles.

The funding allocated will pay for the removal of some tree and scrub which is currently encroaching on the heather and the production of a leaflet which will explain the importance of the habitat for visitors.

The work will take place in the next few months.

Councillor Brian Lucas, cabinet member for environmental services, said: “Looking after Derbyshire’s wonderful countryside is a top priority for us.

“This project will be a great boost in helping to protect and improve important habitat which wildlife depends upon.”

SITA Trust is a funding organisation, based in South Gloucestershire, which supports community and environmental improvement projects.

Some of the work will be undertaken by council staff and contractors but it is hoped that volunteers and the local community will want to get involved and assist with the work.

To get more information about becoming a volunteer on the project call Derbyshire Countryside Service at Clay Cross 01246 866960 or Middleton Top on 01629 823204.

(Ref: 409:JC)

People living in Derbyshire are getting one of the best adult social services in the country according to new ratings.

Derbyshire County Council’s adult social services has been given the highest rating of three stars by the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) for the fifth year running.

The ratings, published on Thursday 29 November place the county’s social services for adults as the highest in the East Midlands and the third highest performing of all the shire counties in the country.

CSCI assessors visited adult social services and made independent judgements on all areas of its work including how it is:

• Improving health and emotional well-being.
• Improving quality of life.
• Increasing choice and control.
• Making a positive contribution.
• Improving economic well-being.

The inspectors gave Derbyshire an ‘excellent’ or ‘good’ rating on all of the above and also said it had an excellent capacity to improve.

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for adult social services Councillor Dave Allen said: “We are delighted with the star rating which clearly reflects our hard work delivering excellent services for people in Derbyshire.

“It was a real team effort to achieve three stars for the fifth year running but we are not complacent and will continue to work hard to build on this top rating.

“There are a number of things that we want to take forward, including building our support for informal carers and enhancing our partnerships, particularly with health to improve well-being in all our communities.”

(Ref: MC.405.07)

New guidelines have been drawn-up by Derbyshire County Council to help preserve the county’s lead mining history and make sure people can enjoy the countryside safely.

The Guide to Good Practice for the Treatment of Disused Lead Mine Shafts was put together by the county council, working in partnership with English Heritage, Natural England, the Peak District National Park Authority and other organisations.

Lead has been mined in Derbyshire and the Peak District since Roman times and was at its greatest in the 17th and 18th centuries when the area played a key role in making Britain the largest producer of lead.

Most of these old mines have not been worked for at least 100 years and it is thought there are more than 50,000 abandoned mine shafts across the county.

Many features of lead mine workings are now protected as Scheduled Monuments for their archaeological interest or as sites of special scientific interest.

And now that the public has increased access rights to the open countryside and registered common land where many of these mineshafts are likely to be found, a new guide has been put together to replace the existing code of practice.

It is the first report of its kind in the country to provide practical advice for landowners, engineers and conservationists on how to recognise issues including health and safety, archaeology, ecology and cultural heritage.

Councillor Brian Lucas, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for environmental services, said: “We want as many people as possible to be able to enjoy Derbyshire’s beautiful countryside.

“Safety is obviously a priority and this will provide valuable guidance for landowners as well as help preserve the county’s lead mining history for future generations to enjoy.”

The guidelines are available from Call Derbyshire on 08 456 058 058, or by emailing contact.centre@derbyshire.gov.uk.

(Ref: JM.406.07)

Community groups in Derbyshire got a cash boost after they applied for money from the Community Self Help Fund.

Four groups from across the county received grants totalling £5,600 from the Derbyshire County Council fund.

The fund helps groups which have a social care link, either organising activities or offering services.

The grants are designed to help groups start up and can be spent on equipment, set up costs, initial publicity and rent. They can also be used for one-off grants to buy equipment.

The four groups that have received money are:

• Amber Valley CVS. The CVS has co-ordinated a scheme to deliver a free Christmas meal to people in need in the Amber Valley area.
  During 2006 Amber Valley CVS delivered 165 meals over the Christmas/Boxing day period.
  They have received £1,500 as a contribution towards the cost of their 2007 Christmas meal project. 

• Matlock and District Mencap Society. They have received £100 which will go towards the cost of  printed t-shirts for members of the Matlock and District Mencap Society Thursday Club Choir.

• Cotmanhay Community Concern Luncheon Club. The club regularly attracts up to 32 people and provides a hot meal twice a week to members.
  The club also arranges social and recreational activities for members. They received a one off grant of £2,000 to assist with transport costs

• Bright Street Laundry, Cotmanhay. The project supports people who due to illness or disability cannot carry out the washing, drying or ironing of their clothes, bedding and curtains.
  They received £2,000 to help purchase essential equipment.
  

REF:CM:404:07

Further action to tackle underage drinking is to be taken after a recent survey showed that although progress was being made more work was still needed.

The Derbyshire County Council survey, carried out by the Schools Health Education Unit, showed that in many areas underage drinking was down since the last survey in 1997 but in some areas was still above the national average.

The council’s trading standards team is committed to tackling the sale of alcohol to children under 18 and wants to use these figures as a wake up call to anyone who runs or works in a shop, supermarket or off licence. 

The survey asked year eight and year 10 pupils in six secondary schools in Derbyshire about their attitudes and behaviour to alcohol.

Each school was asked to provide at least 100 pupils per year group who were a representative cross section of the school population.

The main findings of the report were:

• The percentage of year eight pupils who say that they have drunk one or more units of alcohol in the last seven days fell from 37.3 per cent in 1997 to 31.5 per cent in 2007 but was still above the national average of 25.5 per cent.

• The percentage of Year 10 pupils who have drunk one or more units of alcohol in the last seven days fell from 62.5 per cent in 1997 to 51 per cent in 2007 but was still above the national average of 36.5 per cent.

• The percentage of all pupils who say they have bought alcohol from a shop, supermarket or off- licence rose from 6.9 per cent in 1997 to 10.5 per cent in 2007.

• 18 per cent of pupils said they drank alcohol in a public place compared with the national average of 14 per cent.

Councillor Clive Moesby, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for community safety, said:
“We need to keep these survey results in context but the fact that one in 10 of the pupils surveyed have bought alcohol is clearly a cause for concern, particularly because those pupils who purchase are usually part of a group who will share in drinking the alcohol”.

Trading standards are currently investigating 11 cases where young people have found it too easy to buy alcohol and were not even asked their age.

Derbyshire County Council are appealing to the people who run or work in off-licences and have a vital role to play in stopping alcohol getting into the wrong hands.

If there is any doubt in the sellers mind that the customer is underage then they must ask them to produce proof of age in the form of:

• PASS accredited ID card

• Photo driving licence

• Passport

If the young person can’t prove their age, the sale must be refused and a record that an attempted purchase has taken place.

Following these steps would make it significantly harder for children to get hold of alcohol.

Anyone convicted of selling to children faces a maximum fine of £5000 and can have their licence to sell alcohol revoked or suspended.

Sales staff are also liable and can be issued with an £80 ‘on the spot’ fixed penalty if they have sold without checking ID.

If shop staff need help in tackling young people trying to buy alcohol they should contact trading standards for advice by ringing Call Derbyshire on 08 456 058 058.

(Ref: 403.JC)

Children across Derbyshire got the chance to be in charge with the first ever 11 Million Takeover Day on 23 November.

The event was an opportunity for the 11 million children and young people living in England to take over from adults for the day.

From being the head teacher in their school to running a council for the day - children and young people were put firmly in the decision-making hot seat.

Members of the Derbyshire Youth Forum spent a day at Derbyshire County Council working alongside senior council members.

They learnt how the council works, what sort of decisions have to be made on a daily basis and how the council budgets its money.

They also had the opportunity to attend a climate change conference and find out about the diverse range of services provided by the council.

Anne Western, cabinet member for children’s services, was one of the people shadowed. She said: “The experience was very positive and very refreshing.

“Letting young people know that their opinions and thoughts matter is a very important way of getting them involved in the way that their world is run.

“We need to make the most of the talents and opinions of our young people and events like the 11 Million Takeover give them the chance to shine.”

A number of schools across Derbyshire also worked on a variety of different projects as part of the event.

These included Darley Dale Primary school which hosted an assembly designed and run by students and attended by Councillor Joyce Sanders, Chair of Derbyshire County Council. 

Another school that got involved was Buxton Junior School where the leadership of the school was taken over by two pupils who became headteachers for the day.

They toured classrooms talking to teachers and pupils about the work they were doing in class, ordered games and equipment for playtimes and undertook other tasks during the day.

REF:CM:402:07

An exciting exhibition of new paintings by local artist Diana Syder takes a look at the natural world and lays bare the cycle of life.

The exhibition, The Ideal Garden, will open at the Derbyshire County Council-run Buxton Museum and Art Gallery on 15 December.

At first the images in Diana’s work appear to be recognisable plant forms.

Look again and they become something else, familiar yet strange. Working in oil and acrylic she uses natural forms to look beneath the prettiness of floral images to the savage processes of surviving, growing, and reproducing.

Diana has previously exhibited work in the museum’s Derbyshire Open Art Exhibition and in 2005 won the Derbyshire County Council oil painting prize.

The new exhibition preview is on Saturday 15 December at 2pm and the exhibition continues until 23 February 2008.

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for cultural services Bob Janes said: “This is just one of the fantastic exhibitions and displays that we have at Buxton museum all year round.

“It is free to visit the museum and I would encourage as many people as possible to come along and enjoy the exhibition.”

Buxton Museum and Art Gallery is open to the public free of charge as part of Derbyshire County Council’s commitment to providing access to cultural activities.

As well as Diana’s display, visitors can also see Roads, Routines, Journeys, Dreams, prints and collages by Samantha Groom until 5 January and Friends’ Choice, an exhibition chosen by members of the Friends of Buxton Museum and Art Gallery, until 12 January.

For more information contact Martha Lawrence at the museum on 01298 24658 or email martha.lawrence@derbyshire.gov.uk.

REF:CM:401:07
         

Pupils and staff at Mill Hill School, Ripley, have celebrated the opening of their new £7.7m arts, IT and science block.

It has been built thanks to a £1.5m grant from Derbyshire County Council, £6m of governmental funding with the rest being contributed by the school on Peasehill.

BBC journalist and newsreader Moira Stuart joined Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for schools and Councillor Joyce Sanders, chair of Derbyshire County Council, in opening the new block.

The famous BBC journalist was invited to the media specialist school to give a talk to students about her experiences in the industry and offer advice to pupils who were thinking of working in the industry.

The new block includes eight science laboratories, seven technology rooms which include food and textiles, five art rooms, seven humanities class rooms and one media room.

The work at the school also included the creation of a floodlit multi-use games area.

Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for schools, said: “This new building will give students and staff the highest quality facilities for learning and teaching.  Derbyshire County Council is proud to have been able to work with the Government on this magnificent project.

“Providing up-to-date modern facilities like this helps pupils take pride in their school and their work.”

Pictured from left are Councillor Alan Charles, local MP Judy Mallaber, Mill Hill School’s headteacher Sarah Graham and journalist Moira Stuart.

Pupils are learning valuable lessons in tackling anti-social behaviour thanks to a play funded by Derbyshire County Council.

Students from Tibshelf Community School watched the play ‘Do Something’ to learn about combating anti-social behaviour.

The play, which is touring schools across Derbyshire, encourages young people to think about issues including bullying, vandalism, peer pressure, graffiti and underage drinking.

After each show pupils take part in workshops to discuss issues and think about how anti-social behaviour can be challenged. Pupils will then be encouraged to develop project work on the topics raised.

Derbyshire County Council has funded the project with £34,200 so secondary schools can book the play and presentation for free. 

The production was performed by the Impact on Learning theatre group and topics covered in the presentation are part of schools’ citizenship curriculum.     
                     
Councillor Clive Moesby, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for community safety, said: “Many young people are already making a positive contribution to their neighbourhoods and by giving them this chance to learn about anti-social behaviour we are equipping them to help spread the message that it is unacceptable.

“It is important to instil these values in our students in order to create safer and happier communities in the future.” 
          

ANTI-SOCIAL ANTICS: Pictured left to right Barry Evans (Impact), Councillor Clive Moseby, Chloe Boyes (14), Adam White (14), Liam Stewart (Impact) and Sherri Phillips (Impact).

Residents are being asked to help Derbyshire County Council light up dark nights by keeping an eye on the county’s street lights.

Around 90,000 street lamps and 8,000 illuminated signs are provided by the county council lighting up dozens of streets and footpaths across Derbyshire to help residents feel and stay safe.

The authority has invested around £400,000 improving street lighting over the past two years and £1.4 million was spent on repairing, routine maintenance and emergency calls.

A further £2 million was spent on electricity to keep every lamp and illuminated sign on each night.

Residents can help make the most of the money spent by reporting a light if they notice it is damaged, defaced or not working. 

Councillor Clive Moesby, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for community safety, said: “Making people feel safe in their communities is a key priority for Derbyshire County Council and we all know how much safer we feel walking down a street that is well lit.

”The public play a very important part in keeping our county’s streets bright and I would ask that if anyone suspects a light is faulty then please don’t hesitate to give us a call.”

To report a faulty light, a pot hole in a road or even a blocked gully contact Call Derbyshire on 08456 058 058.

(REF:393.JC.07)

Residents can have even more of a say on local health and social care thanks to a new network being set up in Derbyshire.

Local Involvement Networks (LINks) are being set up nationwide to give people the chance to influence the way their local health and social care is provided.

Derbyshire County Council is currently looking for an organisation to host the Derbyshire network and wants to hear people’s comments on who should do the job.

The network will takeover from the current Patient and Public Involvement Forums in April 2008.

PPI Forums are made up of local volunteers who are enthusiastic about influencing and improving the way local healthcare is delivered.
 
The Derbyshire Local Involvement Network will build on the work done by the forums and extend the work to include the council’s social care services.

The network will:
 
Provide everyone in the community - from individuals to voluntary groups - with the chance to say what they think about local health and social care services

Give people the chance to influence how services are planned and run

Give feedback on what people have said about services so that things can be improved

Councillor Dave Allen, Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for adult services, said: “This is a great opportunity for people to get involved in the provision of their local health and social care.

“The network will provide a voice for people to express their views and help influence future decisions.

“We are in the early stages of deciding who should host the network and we welcome any comments and suggestions on that subject.”

You can visit www.derbyshire.gov.uk/LINks (opens in a new window) to add your comments and suggestions using our questionnaire or alternatively ring Call Derbyshire on 08 456 058 058.

REF:CM:398:07
          
 

Get your skates on this Christmas for some festive fun in Gamesley.

The Festive Market, which will take place at Winster Mews, Gamesley, on Thursday, November 29, 5pm until 9pm, will include an ice rink where children can skate for as long as they like for only £1.

Funded by Derbyshire County Council using cash from the Big Lottery Fund and High Peak Community Housing, the market will feature a mixture of stalls from local businesses, craftspeople and community groups.

Items on sale include handbags, children's books, girl’s accessories, Christmas cards, wrapping paper, Christmas trees, wreaths and seasonal produce.

There will also be a chance for visitors to get their picture taken with real reindeer and Father Christmas.

A raffle will be held on the night; with the top three prizes being two tickets to see a Manchester City football match, beauty clinic vouchers and a Christmas hamper. 

The event will also include the unveiling of a metal sculpture which was partly designed by children from Gamesley Community Primary, on Grindleford Grove, St Margaret’s Roman Catholic Primary School, on Glossop Road and Gamesley Early Excellence Centre Out of School Club.

The money raised at the market will be put towards funding the event next year and a proportion will be given to the 'Jingle for James' charity fundraising group.

Note to editor: Photographers and reporters are welcome to cover the event.

(Ref:390.07)

Market towns across Derbyshire are being urged to work together and take advantage of a new grant that is up for grabs.

Derbyshire County Council, in partnership with the Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership (DDEP), launched the Progressive Towns Grant Fund as part of the Market Towns Project.

The fund will award grants of between £5,000 and £15,000 to help market towns improve the quality of life and develop economic opportunities for residents, businesses and visitors.

Towns are urged to work together to develop projects and ideas and each round of bidding will have a specific theme. The first one is Investment Readiness.

Under this banner towns are invited to bid for money that will help them advance a particular capital project.

Cabinet member for regeneration Geoff Carlile said: “This grant will provide an extra cash boost to market towns around the county.

“The money will support a wide range of projects and community initiatives that will ensure market towns continue to grow and prosper.”

In order to get a grant you must be able to show that your project is supported by local people, or will directly benefit the majority of inhabitants of the town and that the community will be actively involved in delivering or using of the project.

If you are interested in applying for a grant you can contact Nawaz Khan on 01629 580000 to find out if your project fits the bill.

Only one submission per town or group of towns will be accepted in each bidding round. 

REF:CM:396:07

MARKET TOWN MONEY UP FOR GRABS: Councillor Geoff Carlile celebrated the launch of the Progressive Towns Grant Fund.

Adventurous young people from across Derbyshire have been rewarded for their dedication and personal achievement while working towards the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Councillor Bob Janes, cabinet member for cultural services, presented the hard working young people with awards at a ceremony at County Hall, Matlock, on Friday.

A total of 88 young people achieved the awards.
Family and friends gathered to see almost 50 of them receive their certificates and badges at the ceremony.

The award aims to help young people gain confidence and independence while offering them an individual challenge and the opportunity to try new activities and hobbies. 

It also enables them to learn from others in their community and show that they can work well as a team player.

The award can be done through youth clubs, schools, universities, voluntary organisations or the workplace and is recognised by employers as a sign of hard work and commitment. 

Councillor Janes said: “The award is brilliant because it gives the young people the chance to prove themselves aside from the academic side of life.

“A lot of hard work goes into gaining these awards and the ceremony is about giving credit to these young people and recognising their commitment.” 

Pictured are all the winners with Councillor Bob Janes.

Winter is in the air and our team of road gritters has already been out and about making sure that Derbyshire’s roads are safe to use.

We grit 1,555 of the 3,300 miles of roads in Derbyshire. That is more than in any other county.

Our gritter drivers work in shifts so teams are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week whenever they are needed but motorists need to take care in bad weather too.

On top of what we are doing to keep you safe on the roads we are urging drivers to use some common sense precautions when driving in bad weather. More information is available in the gritting section of our website.

When it comes to vehicles the general advice is - keep lights, windows and mirrors clean and free from ice and snow; keep the battery fully charged; add anti-freeze to the radiator and winter additive to the windscreen washer bottles; make sure wipers and lights are in good working order; check tyres have plenty of tread depth and are maintained at the correct pressure.

Driving conditions vary according to weather and the advice is:

If it’s wet, slushy, or icy - your stopping distance can be doubled and it can take up to 10 times longer to stop in icy conditions than in dry conditions.

Drive slowly, allowing extra room to slow down and stop. In snow use dipped headlights and the highest gear possible to avoid wheel spin. Manoeuvre gently, avoid harsh braking and acceleration.

To brake on ice or snow without locking your wheels, get into a low gear earlier than normal, allow your speed to fall and use the brake pedal gently. If you start to skid, ease off the accelerator but do not brake suddenly.

In fog - drive very slowly using dipped headlights. Use fog-lights if visibility is seriously reduced but remember to switch them off when visibility improves.

Don’t hang on to the tail-lights of the vehicle in front as this gives you a false sense of security and means you may be driving too close. Don’t speed up suddenly, even if it seems to be clearing. You can suddenly find yourself back in thick fog.

In winter sun - Keep a pair of sunglasses handy.

Councillor Brian Lucas, cabinet member for environmental services, said: “In bad weather we would advise that motorists only go out if the journey is absolutely necessary and if it is make sure they and their vehicle are ready for the journey.

“Checking on the internet or listening to local radio for the latest travel and weather information is always a good pointer before heading out on the road.”

REF:CM:392:07

Older people in the county will have the chance to air their views on a number of issues at 50+ forum meetings next month.

Swadlincote District 50+ Forum will have its ‘Nearly Christmas Open Meeting’ on Thursday, December 6 at Church Gresley Methodist Church, York Road, beginning at 10.30am.

A talk entitled ‘Positive Ageing Through Comedy’ will be given by Irene Isson.

Refreshments will be served from 10am and a light buffet lunch will also be served at 12.30pm.

Ashbourne and District 50+ Forum will have its Annual General Meeting and Open Meeting on Friday, December 7, at Ashbourne Leisure Centre.

The AGM will start at 9.30am followed by the open meeting at 10am.

The meeting will be introduced by Alistair Macdonald an award winning BBC TV journalist and producer.

Long Eaton District 50+ Forum will meet on Monday, December 10, at Council Chambers, Long Eaton, Town Hall, Derby Road, beginning at 10am.

The theme for the meeting is volunteering and their will be a presentations from Help the Aged, Erewash Council for Voluntary Service and Community Concern.

Light Refreshments will be served from 9.45am and the event will also include a raffle.

Councillor Dave Allen, cabinet member for services for older people, said: “These forums are a great platform for older people to get their views heard on local, regional and national issues that affect them.”

Free transport to these meetings can be arranged through calling our Wellbeing Team on 01629 532466 or email jo.ellis2@derbyshire.gov.uk or nicola.robinson@derbyshire.gov.uk

(REF: JC.370.07)

The festive season is just around the corner and Derbyshire’s 50+ forums are gearing up for their fun packed Christmas events.

The forums, supported by Derbyshire County Council, provide a place for people aged 50 and over to meet, discuss local issues and voice their opinions.

Belper District 50+ Forum will be holding a Christmas forum on Friday 14 December from 10am to 12.30pm at Nailers, Belper Town Football Club.

The event will include:

• Singing from Long Row Primary School Choir.

• Christmas raffle.

• Christmas nibbles with teas and coffees.

• Christmas entertainment.

Heanor and District 50+ Forum will hold its Christmas party and AGM on Thursday 13 December from 6.30pm to 9.30pm at the welfare centre, Wilmot Street.

There will be:

• Entertainment from organist Wayne Bingham.

• Free teas, coffees and festive foods.

• Christmas raffle

Ilkeston and District 50 + Christmas forum is on Wednesday 28 November from 10.15am to 2pm at Gladstone Lodge.

The event will include:

• Winnie Warburton from the Zimmers Group.

• Chaucer Juniors school choir.

• Lisa from Flower Flare demonstrating Christmas decorations.

• Christmas raffle.

• Festive buffet for all forum members to enjoy.

Councillor Dave Allen, cabinet member for services for older people, said: “The forums provide a great place for people to meet and exchange thoughts and ideas.

“With Christmas nearly here it is a perfect opportunity to get in the festive spirit, enjoy some tasty Christmas treats and have a good time.”

Free transport to each event is available by request. Contact Nicola Robinson on 01629 532094.

REF:CM:388:07

The young bookworms from Clowne planted the shrubs after completing the Big Wild Read Summer challenge run at their local library on Recreation Close.

The scheme challenged youngsters from across the county to read six books from their local Derbyshire County Council library during the summer holiday.

The children, aged between three and 13, kept track of the books in a special folder as they went and as well as reading, they also found out ways to help the environment.

For every book each child read, they received a tree token from a sticker sheet.

At the end of the challenge everyone who completed it was presented with a certificate and medal.

Also, all the tree tokens went towards planting real trees thanks to the Woodland Trust's Tree for All campaign.

Councillor Anne Western, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for children’s services, said: “This scheme is a lovely way to promote reading but also highlight the continuing importance of caring for the environment.

“All the children should be very proud of completing the challenge.”  

Dobbies Garden Centre, Highwood Way, Barlborough, agreed to donate nine plants which were planted in the grounds of the library and two trees which were planted in nearby Barlborough village green.

Find out more about the facilities available at Clowne Library.

Pictured from left to right are Megan Slater, 11, Robert Badmin, eight, Phillip Badmin, nine, Councillor Anne Western, Rebecca Clixby, nine, Daniel Gratton, eight, Harry Richardson, six, Shauna Richardson 10.

Schools in Long Eaton are celebrating after being awarded an Inclusion Quality Mark this week.

Brackenfield Special School, Parklands Infant School, English Martyrs Catholic Primary School and Derbyshire County Council’s Special Educational Needs Support Service at Ashbrook all received an award.

Inclusion Quality Marks are given in recognition for work ensuring that all children, including vulnerable pupils and children with special educational needs and disabilities, are fully included in school life.

Assessors look at various aspects including the learning environment, pupil attitudes, values and personal development and resources and ICT.

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for schools, Councillor Alan Charles, said: “The award reflects all the hard work that the staff have put into making sure that every child is fully included in every aspect of school life.”

A detailed response to plans by the Post Office to close local branches has been drawn up.

Derbyshire County Council has sent its response to the Post Office, commenting on each proposed closure, giving reasons why many earmarked to close down should stay open.

The Post Office asked for views on its closure plan and held a six week consultation, which came to an end on Monday 12 November.

The proposed plan is part of a review of Post Office services across the East Midlands including large parts of Derbyshire.

It is looking at services in the following areas of the county as part of its national review which will see 2,500 post offices across the country earmarked for closure.

The areas concerned are:

• Amber Valley
• Bolsover
• Erewash
• South Derbyshire
• West Derbyshire

Post offices in Chesterfield, High Peak and North East Derbyshire will be considered in the coming months.

The county council is pledging its continued support for local post offices and has long campaigned against the closure of rural and community post offices.

Led by cabinet member for regeneration Councillor Geoff Carlile, the council has worked hard with the Post Office to maintain and reopen services and has seen many successes with some reopening after closure, new staff coming forward and new premises, including pubs, a hotel and a church, being used.

Geoff Carlile is meeting with Post Office representatives on 13 November for further talks about the closure plan.

He said: “We have looked closely at the Post Office’s plans in our area as we need to ensure that it has taken full account of the needs of communities affected.

“We feel we have given them a detailed response and hope they will take our recommendations in to account when they make their final decision.”

(Ref:MC.387.07)

Gold card holders can pick up the latest edition of Derbyshire Gold magazine from today.

The free twice-yearly magazine supports Derbyshire County Council’s Gold Card travel and discount card scheme for residents aged over 60 and disabled people.

It includes a new and up-to-date pull-out directory of around 1,400 shops and other local businesses offering Gold Card discounts.

The autumn/winter edition of the  40-page colour magazine is packed full of features, articles and interviews on a range of topics covering lifestyle, leisure, health and other issues affecting older people.

Among them is an interview with World Cup winner Gordon Banks who shares the ups and downs of his fascinating football career, while love is in the air in a touching story about a couple who fell for each other and even married with a little help from Gold Card.  

There are interesting insights into life as a countryside ranger and as a TV extra. Plus ideas on how to cut your carbon emissions and save a bit of cash at the same time.

What’s more, as well as the usual offers and competitions, there’s a chance to win a weekend in Cardiff, tickets to the theatre and health club membership.

Derbyshire Gold magazine is available from all county council libraries and mobile libraries, all district and borough council offices, County Hall in Matlock or from any Gold Card roadshow.

Derbyshire County Council leader Councillor John Williams said: “Derbyshire Gold magazine always proves to be very popular with our readers and we hope this latest edition will be the same.

“Derbyshire Gold is an excellent way of passing on information to our 175,000 Gold Card holders as well as helping them get the most from the scheme.”

For more information about Gold Card or to view the new directory online visit the Gold Card section of our website.

The directory is also available in large print and Braille and copies of the magazine are available from Call Derbyshire on 08 456 058 058.

Gold card holders can pick up the latest edition.

(REF:JC.382.07)

Cross cultural learning was the name of the game when Japanese local government officers met their Derbyshire counterparts this week.

Chigiri Sakashita and Takuya Tsuda from Tokyo visited County Hall in Matlock to learn all about local government in the UK.

The visitors were on a week long training course in Derbyshire organised by the Japan Local Government Centre in London. 

Both currently work for Tokyo CLAIR, Council of Local Authorities for International Relations, and the event is part of an ongoing programme of visits designed to share ideas on best practice in local government.

The visitors met with Derbyshire County Council Chief Executive Nick Hodgson and chair of the council Joyce Sanders along with project managers, councillors and other council staff. 

During their stay the visitors learnt about regeneration and enhancement schemes, the Townscape Heritage Initiative, community involvement and what Derbyshire is doing to tackle climate change.

They also observed the Chesterfield 50+ Forum and Markham Vale development projects.

Councillor Joyce Sanders, chair of the council, said: “Our visitors were particularly interested in seeing how we tackled issues such as services for older people and community involvement.

“The visit provided a fascinating insight into the similarities and differences of local government in our two countries.

“The council continues to strengthen and improve its international relations to benefit the people, economy and culture of both countries.”

Next year Derbyshire County Council will be celebrating ten years of twinning between Derbyshire and Toyota City. There will be a packed programme of events to celebrate the anniversary.

REF:CM:386:07

Shoppers can stock up on Christmas gifts early this month at a craft fair taking place at the Clay Cross Adult Community Education Centre.

Jewellery, watercolour paintings, artwork, silk painting and soft toys will be among the range of crafts on sale between 10am and 3.30pm on Saturday, November 24, at the Market Street centre.

There are also plenty of opportunities to try out some of the crafts for yourself.

Admission is 75p with accompanied children under 16 getting in free.
Everyone is welcome and there’s free parking.

The event has been organised by staff from Derbyshire County Council’s Clay Cross Adult Community Education Centre and will feature other attractions including Russian crafts, ceramics, toiletries, cards, hand knits and stained glass.

Refreshments and snacks will also be available.

Councillor Bob Janes, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural services, said: “This will be a great event with visitors being able to see stallholders demonstrating their crafts throughout the day.

“It will be a good opportunity to see how things are made, as well as offering people the opportunity to do a bit of early Christmas shopping.”

The Clay Cross centre runs dozens of courses for adults including computing at all levels, food safety, childcare, painting and drawing, manicures and nail art and family learning.

Councillor Janes added: “The centre at Clay Cross is a great place to learn something new or practise a skill or hobby.

“The centre has excellent computer facilities, a lovely coffee bar and classrooms.”

For more information about the fair, or courses on offer, call staff on 01246 862383.

(REF:380.07.JC)

Community arts in Derbyshire are getting a major boost thanks to Derbyshire County Council.

The authority is funding six new projects which bring arts to the community including a film about the Derwent Valley entrepreneurs, an underground performance of Macbeth and a peace pole sculpture.

Improvements to a silver band’s practice facilities and writing workshops are also being supported by the council through its small arts grants scheme.

The latest round of grants is the second this year and is worth almost £5,500 between the projects.  The small arts grants are part of the authority’s drive to encourage organisations developing the arts in Derbyshire. Projects receiving support this time around are:

• 1623 Theatre Company - £900 towards a performance of Macbeth in Poole’s Cavern, Buxton. The total cost of the project is £8,350. The company performs Shakespeare’s plays in non-traditional settings and previously put on a production at Crich Tramway Village, Nottingham’s galleries of justice and a pub in Alstonefield, Staffordshire.

• Chesterfield Writers’ Circle - £775 to perform readings and exhibitions of poems and stories at Bolsover Castle as part of the Derbyshire Literature Festival in June 2008.

• Erewash Writers’ Group - £1,000 to run two writing workshop days for the Derbyshire Literature Festival.

• Long Eaton Silver Prize Band - £750 toward the refurbishment of practice facilities.

• Maypole Productions, Milford - £1,000 toward a £55,000 project to produce a community film about the Derwent Valley’s 18th Century entrepreneurs. Previously, the community group based in Milford produced a film about Samuel Slater from Belper who took the skills that he had learned about the mills in Derbyshire to America.

• The Stoney Wood Group, Wirksworth is awarded £1,000 to fund a Peace Pole Sculpture by artist Andrew Frost as a focus for community arts activities. The funding will meet around a third of the project’s total cost of £2,950.

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural services councillor Bob Janes said “These projects are playing a vital part in promoting the arts in Derbyshire and help bring the arts into the community.

“The county has a thriving arts scene and the county council is happy to be able to support the good work being done by groups and organisations across the area.”

The grants are worth up to £1,000 and are designed to help:

• Develop new audiences and participants in arts activity.

• Support arts work with disabled people.

• Support arts work in rural areas.

• Support the creative economy.

Earlier this year the authority awarded almost £10,000 to 11 different arts group across Derbyshire.

Groups can apply for a small arts grant by downloading an application form or contacting the Arts Team on 01773 831385.

(AJ.385.07)

More than £2 million is being invested in road repairs and improvements across the county by Derbyshire County Council this month.

The money is part of a £12m package of Government transport funding to support a range of measures identified in the council’s local transport plan for 2006/2011.

Councillor Brian Lucas, cabinet member for environmental services, said: “Improving the road network is a priority for the council.

“We continue to work hard to improve and maintain the condition and safety of our roads and pavements for local people.”

During November, work to improve roads will be carried out by the county council in the following districts:

Amber Valley - £173,000

• A609 Dobholes Lane / Church Lane, Smalley/Horsley Woodhouse - £106,000 – Road resurfacing

• B6441 Nottingham Road, Ripley - £52,000 - Road resurfacing

• B6013 Chesterfield Road, Pentrich - £15,000 - Road resurfacing

Erewash - £320,000

• A609 Nottingham Road - £58,000 - Road resurfacing

• A6096 Dale Road, Dale Abbey - £262,000 - Road resurfacing

Bolsover - £265,000

• A618 Rotherham Road, Clowne - £40,000 - Road resurfacing

• A632 Langwith Road, Bolsover - £120,000 - Road resurfacing

• A619 Clinthill Lane (Whitwell to Half Moon Public House), Whitwell - £35,000 - Road markings, signing to reduce casualties at hazard points

• Lansbury Drive / South Street, South Normanton - £70,000 - Traffic calming and 20mph zone to reduce speeds and casualties

Chesterfield - £80,000

• A61 (Jawbones Hill to Borough Boundary) Chesterfield - £80,000 - Route treatment, pedestrian facilities and signing to reduce casualties.

North East Derbyshire - £863,894

• A61 Dronfield Railway Bridge, Holmley Common , Dronfield - £100,000 - Repairs/ repaint parapets

• A61 Gosforth Viaduct, Gosforth Valley - £200,000 - Waterproofing repairs, general repairs and repaint parapets

• A61 Gosforth Footbridge, Gosforth Valley - £80,000 - Repaint parapets and replace britflex joint over west end joint

• B6057 Chesterfield Road, Dronfield - £28,000 - pavement resurfacing.

• A61 Monkwood Bridleway Bridge, Monkwood, Barlow - £80,000 - Repaint parapets

• Leabrook Road, Pentland Road, Gosforth Drive, Dronfield - £108,000 - Road markings, signing refuges and vehicle activated signs to reduce speeds in residential areas to reduce casualties.

• Chandos Crescent / Orchard Place Killamarsh - £17,894 - Pavement resurfacing

• A632/B6425 Deepsick Lane Junction £250,000 – Traffic signal improvements and widening to reduce congestion.

High Peak - £108,000

• Ellison Street / Norfolk Street, Glossop - £30,000 - Junction realignment to reduce speeds and improve pedestrian facilities

• A624 / A6015 Junction, Hayfield - £70,000 - Junction improvement

• A5004, near Tesco Store, Whaley Bridge - £8,000 - Provide splitter island to ensure speeds are reduced following development of Tesco Store to reduce casualties.

Derbyshire Dales - £222,519

• A619 Baslow Road, Bakewell - £55,519 - Road resurfacing

• B5056 from A5012 to Longcliffe, Brassington / Aldwark - £165,000 - Road resurfacing

• Derwent valley cycle route between Matlock and Rowsley - £2,000 - Provision of cycle parking facilities

North West - £90,000

• A515 East of Brierlow Bar to Parsley Hay - £30,000 – Vehicle activated signs to make sure new speed limits are complied with

• A623 Baslow to Chapel-en-le-Frith - £60,000 – Speed limit review and route enhancement

Details of any other organisations carrying out work likely to cause disruption to the county’s roads are listed in the roadworks section of our webiste.

REF: CM:384:07

Education is not just confined to the classroom, the great outdoors provides a wonderful place to learn about everything from the weather to the natural world.

Derbyshire County Council has launched a brand new publication designed to help staff and carers working with young children make the most of the outdoor classroom.

‘Firm Footings: Learning Outdoors’ covers everything from health and safety while outdoors to what resources to provide and how best to make the most of your outdoor spaces.

The guide highlights the importance of learning in an outdoor environment.

It recognises the part that this vital resource plays in the learning and development of young children from birth onwards.

Councillor Alan Charles, cabinet member for schools, said: “Children love to get out of the classroom and explore their surroundings.

“What could be better than combining their natural curiosity about the world with plenty of educational fun.

“We are always looking for ways to expand and improve the quality of education in Derbyshire using a variety of new methods.

“The Firm Footing document provides a comprehensive guide for teachers and staff on how to make the most of their outdoor classrooms.”

The publication will be sent out to every school subscribing to the Firm Footings publications and to every group involved with young children.

REF:CM:379:07

The latest Moving Forward Together workshops are being held for the organisers of community, voluntary or independent groups working with children and young people in Derbyshire.

The events, which are the sixth in an on-going series, will look at:

• Training opportunities available for the voluntary and community independent groups in Derbyshire

• Opportunity to tell others about the service your organisation provides

• Discussions about CRB and issues for you and your group

• Meet the new district managers for your area

Councillor Anne Western, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for children’s services, said: “These workshops have proved popular for people who work with children and young people.

“We are particularly keen to make voluntary, community and independent groups aware of the training we can provide to support them in their work.”

The events will take place at:

• Chesterfield – Wednesday 28 November between 9.30am and 12.30pm at Saints Parish Centre, St Mary’s Gate

• Amber Valley – Wednesday 28 November between 2.30pm and 5.30pm at the Genesis Centre, King Street, Alfreton

• High Peak and Derbyshire Dales –  Friday 30 November between 9.30am and 12.30pm at Buxton Methodist Church Hall, Chapel Street, Buxton

• Erewash – Monday 3 December between 9.30am and 12.30pm at The Outlook Centre, Briar Gate, Long Eaton

• South Derbyshire – Monday 3 December between 2.30pm and 5.30pm at Sharps Pottery, Swadlincote

• Bolsover – Wednesday 5 December between 9.30am and 12.30pm at Bainbridge Hall, Chapel Road, Carr Vale

If you haven’t been to one of these events before, now is the time to come along and find out what’s happening in your area with children and young peoples services.

Anyone wanting to book places on any of the workshops or find out further information should ring Matt Ford on 01773 744741. 

REF:CM:383:07

Book lovers in Bolsover won’t have to miss out on their favourite reads while the local library undergoes a major refurbishment as a mobile library is heading for the town.

Derbyshire County Council is spending £180,000 upgrading Bolsover’s Church Street library including improving access and revamping the interior.

To ensure the safety of staff and customers while the work is under way, the library has closed temporarily. The scheme is due to be completed by April 2008.

Until then, one of Derbyshire County Council’s mobile libraries is visiting the Market Place three times a week. Starting on Monday 12 November 2007. It will be in the town every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10.30am until 4.30pm.

Alternatively, readers and music lovers can access all of Derbyshire County Council’s library stock online.

The collection can be browsed and items found using a keyword or theme search. Once you find what you are looking for you can reserve it online for pick up at your nearest library or on the mobile. Books, CDs and DVDs already on loan can also be renewed online.

Councillor Bob Janes, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural services, said: “This is a major refurbishment scheme which will bring big improvements for everybody.

“The library will be more accessible to disabled people and those with pushchairs. We’re also brightening the place up and putting in some new shelving which should make it a bit nicer to browse around.”

He added:  “We ask that people bear with us while this important work takes place and make use of our mobile library, Call Derbyshire on 08 456 058 058 and our website in the meantime.”

Most of the investment in Bolsover Library is going on access improvements including installing a new lift, removal of internal ramps and improvements to the entrance area.

The library will also be rewired and redecorated including adding a new suspended ceiling.

(AJ.381.07)

Families in Blackwell, Newton and Tibshelf can look forward to some great new services thanks to a development set to get underway this month.

Blackwell Primary School will soon have a brand new children’s centre on its site, housing a wide range of services for children and families in the local area.

The building is part of Derbyshire County Council’s Phase 2 Children’s Centre programme. 

Planning permission has been secured for the centre which will be built next to the new Foundation Stage area of the school. 

The building will have a drop-in area with information on activities and services taking place in the area and dedicated staff will be on hand to provide further support. 

The centre will also include a large room suitable for a variety of activities for parents, carers and children, as well as a smaller room for private meetings with professionals such as health visitors and counsellors. 

Cabinet Member for Cultural Services Councillor Bob Janes said: “This is an exciting development that will provide even better services to parents and families in the area.

“Services will include opportunities for parents to get together, as well as fun activities for children.

“The centre will become the local place to go for parents wanting information or advice and will offer family support and opportunities for family and parent learning, as well as access to health and employment services.”

Improvements will be made to the parking and access at the front of the school which will make it easier and safer for people coming to both the school and the new centre. 

Construction is expected to start in late November and the building should be completed by the end of March 2008. 

REF:CM:378:07

A £1.4 million funding package has been agreed that will enable a delayed project to build a sports hall at St Thomas More Catholic School in Buxton to go ahead.

Now the money is in place, and planning permission has been agreed, Derbyshire County Council hopes that work to build the sports hall should start in January. It will take around 30 weeks to complete.

The school’s existing hall is small and has to be used as a gym, assembly hall, dining room and for exams. It means the school cannot provide a home venue for sports matches against other schools and does not have enough room to assemble the whole school together in an emergency.

Derbyshire County Council first agreed in July 2005 to sell off a piece of unused land, off Brown Edge Road, to pay for the cost of building the new sports hall.

But the plans were thrown into turmoil when a residents’ association submitted a village green application in December 2006 for the land in Brown Edge Road.

Land can be registered as a village green and protected from development if it can be proved a community has used the area in question for legitimate recreation or pastimes for at least 20 years.

As the village green application is being considered the county council has been unable to sell the land. This has meant that it has not been possible to identify the funding required to build the sports hall.

But following extensive negotiations Derbyshire County Council has agreed to loan the cash required. The Nottingham Roman Catholic Diocese has agreed to underwrite the £1.4 million cost of the sports hall using money it will receive from the Government over a six-year period. The school has also agreed to underwrite any loss of interest that might occur.

As a result Derbyshire County Council has now given the project the go-ahead.

Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for schools, said: “We have worked very hard in partnership with the Nottingham Catholic Diocese, Tom Levitt MP and the school to resolve the funding problems created by the village green application.

“It is crucial that the pupils at St Thomas Catholic School get the sports facilities they need as quickly as possible. So I am pleased that it has been possible to bring together various groups to find a solution to the problem and let the building work begin.”

If the village green application is unsuccessful Derbyshire County Council will revert to its original plan to use the money from the land sale to pay for the sports hall.

(REF: JF.377.07) 

A Derbyshire school is celebrating after achieving a new standard aimed at helping pupils become better learners and reach their potential.

Park Junior School, Shirebrook, is the first school to scoop Derbyshire County Council’s new Personalised Learning Award for helping pupils understand how and why they learn and how they can take more responsibility for their own learning.

The award was developed by the advisory and inspection service in collaboration with a consultative group of Derbyshire headteachers.

To get the award schools have to demonstrate a number of standards, including making sure the curriculum and other activities meet the range of needs and interests of the pupils and consulting children when key decisions affecting them are made.

Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for schools, said: “The goal of this award is to motivate children to become actively involved in their own education and inspire them to achieve as much as possible and make the most of their own potential.

“Personalised learning gives pupils the chance to make choices about how they learn so they can find out which approach suits them best.

“I’m delighted that the scheme has got off to such a flying start and had such good feedback from children and staff who have taken part.”

Four pupils from Park Junior School’s formed a children’s management committee which was involved in helping teachers plan lessons and provided ideas on school projects carried out as part of the award scheme.

Alongside the advisory and inspection service, a team of children and staff from Heath Primary School were involved in gathering evidence on the work being done to decide whether the school should receive the award.

Steve Hewitt-Richards, headteacher of Park Junior School, said: “We are all immensely proud to be the first school to receive this award.

“The children, staff, governors, county advisers and parents have all worked very hard together over the past six years to make a school that the whole community can be proud of.”  

REF: JC:376:07

A Derbyshire school is celebrating after it officially opened its new hydrotherapy pool.

Councillor Joyce Sanders, chair of Derbyshire County Council was joined by The Duke of Devonshire, when she performed the official opening of the £600,000 pool at Peak School.

Derbyshire County Council put £190,000 into the project with the remainder provided by the school and from fund-raising events held by children, parents, staff and friends.

The pool will cater for the special needs of both the day and residential pupils at the school in Chinley.

Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for schools, said: “This is a fantastic addition to the school’s resources and will benefit so many young people with disabilities in the area.

“The pool environment will support the pupils’ learning and help them develop new skills and build confidence in their abilities.

“Children, parents, staff, friends and local businesses have worked hard to raise funds for this new hydrotherapy pool and we were very happy to be able to contribute to this tremendous asset.”